Not too shabby!
But first, the Highlights!
Game Notes
- Your TOI leader was
- The Kraken had another damn solid game, albeit one where the Calgary Flames did decide to push back a little bit, but that was well after they were down 2-0. The Kraken took ample advantage of Devin Cooley’s less than ideal performance and certainly this Wrangler-heavy defense’s inability to adequately stop a shot or clog a lane early on. Otherwise, they held the line perfectly fine, they played hard, and even if they spent a little more time on the backfoot.
- There was FRACASES! And TRUCULENCE in this one! The Flames tried imposing their wills and the Kraken matched their physicality bar for bar, including John Hayden answering the bell with Brennan Othmann. These youths have met plenty of times throughout the last few playoff runs in the AHL, so I can only imagine simmering resentment was a feature here. Still, good to see the bell getting answered by a player in white tonight.
- Two power play goals (albeit one with an empty net but they do count it), and six straight kills for the PK. Special Teams has been getting a workout this preseason and frankly I’m glad. The vets need to know these kids are willing to put in the work. They should respond in kind.
- Philipp Grubauer played 40 minutes tonight, and stopped 15 of 16 shots. Nikke Kokko once again finished the game, and he stopped 7 of 8. As long as nobody named Aydar Suniev had the puck, the Kraken’s goalies were pretty damn solid. I dunno if you’d take much more from this game than that, but if you gotta hyperanalize, Mr. Suniev shouldn’t have had nearly that much ice in front of him to get those shots off, and that doesn’t start with the netminder.
Let’s give a hand to…
- Oscar Fisker Molgaard! Molgaard was once again tasked with an increasing number of defensive and neutral zone starts, finishing his night with a Faceoff-% of 57.9%. Definitely felt the pressure of the Flames a lot more, but walking away having done a lot of the little things right and an assist on a Jagger Firkus tally has to feel good.
- Jagger Firkus! Finally on the board! Also a little firecracker out there, as he was at one point willing to dance with just about the entire Calgary roster at his big size of 5’8 on skates. That’s the kind of player you get for spark; somebody who’s fight size is well beyond that of his physical size. Helluva goal, too.
- Ty Nelson! For being johnny on the spot again and getting rewarded for it. It’s that attitude and play recognition that the big club sorely needs, and I really hope he gets a longer look.
- Logan Morrison! Sitting on a streak of hands being given to, as he walked away with the assist on Ty Nelson’s tally, and then got the Kraken ahead. Nifty little night for him!
- JR Avon! He would casually have nights like this with the Firebirds and especially in the playoffs, where he’d disappear into the game and then come out the other side with three points. He did just that tonight, and well done for it!
The Charts, via NaturalStatTrick.com
The Kraken will continue camp back at KCI, presumably make cuts to send players to the Firebirds, and then get back at it in British Columbia as they take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday. That game starts at 4pm PT.
Good luck to all the prospects still here after tonight and into the week, and as always…
Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win.